Selecting a mode of delivery to provide access to a file systems and methods

Abstract

Described embodiments provide systems and methods for selecting between modes for delivering or providing access to a file. A server can be configured to deliver the file via a plurality of modes of delivery including. A first mode of delivery can include downloading the file and a second mode of delivery can include delivering the file via a virtualized stream. The server can receive a request and initiate downloading of the file for a length of time. The server can identify an amount of available bandwidth and size of the file and determine a first time for the first mode of delivery. The first time can be compared to a second time to deliver the file via the second mode of delivery. The server can select between the first mode of delivery and the second mode of delivery and provide the file via the selected mode of delivery.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 receiving, by a server, a request for a file from a client device, the server configured to provide the file to the client device via a plurality of modes of delivery, wherein a first mode of delivery of the plurality of modes of delivery is to download the file to the client device and a second mode of delivery of the plurality of modes of delivery is to provide a virtual version of the file via streaming to the client device; 
 initiating, by the server responsive to receiving the request, the first mode of delivery of the file to the client device for a time period to determine a size of the file, an amount of available bandwidth, and a total time to provide for a full delivery of the file to the client device using the first mode of delivery; 
 determining, by the server based at least on the size of the file, the total time to provide the full delivery of the file, and the amount of available bandwidth determined via the first mode of delivery of the file initiated for the time period, to use the second mode of delivery instead of the first mode of delivery; and 
 providing, by the server responsive to the determination, the file to the client device via the second mode of delivery. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using, by the server, a channel between the client device and the server to provide the file to the client device in accordance with one of the plurality of modes of delivery. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing, by the server, a portion of the file using the first mode of delivery during the time period. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising determining, by the server, that the second mode of delivery provides access to the file for the client device in a second time period less than a total time period for which the first mode of delivery provides access to the file. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, using, by the server, a virtual stream to provide the file to the client device via the second mode of delivery. 
     
     
       6. A method comprising:
 receiving, by a server, a request for a file from a client device, the server configured to provide the file to the client device via a plurality of modes of delivery, wherein a first mode of delivery of the plurality of modes of delivery is to download of the file to the client device and a second mode of delivery of the plurality of modes of delivery is to provide a virtual version of the file via streaming to the client device; 
 initiating, by the server responsive to receiving the request, the first mode of delivery of the file to the client device for a time period to determine a size of the file, an amount of available bandwidth, and a total time to provide for a full delivery of the file to the client device using the first mode of delivery; 
 determining, by the server based at least on the size of the file, the total time to provide the full delivery of the file, and the amount of available bandwidth determined via the first mode of delivery of the file initiated for the time period, to use the first mode of delivery instead of the second mode of delivery; and 
 continuing, by the server responsive to the determination, to provide the file to the client device via the first mode of delivery. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising using, by the server, a channel between the client device and the server to provide the file to the client device in accordance with one of the plurality of modes of delivery. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising providing, by the server, a portion of the file using the first mode of delivery during the time period. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising determining, by the server, that the second mode of delivery provides access to the file for the client device in a second time period greater than a total time period for which the first mode of delivery provides access to the file. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first mode of delivery includes at least one of a full download of the file or a partial download of the file. 
     
     
       11. A computing system comprising:
 one or more processors configured to provide a file to a client device via a plurality of modes of delivery, wherein a first mode of delivery of the plurality of modes of delivery is to download of the file to the client device and a second mode of delivery of the plurality of modes of delivery is to provide a virtual version of the file via streaming to the client device; 
 wherein the one or more processors are configured to:
 receive a request for the file from the client device; 
 initiate, responsive to receipt of the request, the first mode of delivery of the file to the client device for a time period to determine a size of the file, an amount of available bandwidth, and a total time to provide for a full delivery of the file to the client device using the first mode of delivery; 
 determine, based at least on the size of the file, the total time to provide the full delivery of the file, and the amount of available bandwidth determined via the first mode of delivery of the file initiated for the time period, to use the second mode of delivery instead of the first mode of delivery; and 
 providing, responsive to the determination, the file to the client device via the second mode of delivery. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The computing system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to provide a portion of the file using the first mode of delivery during the time period. 
     
     
       13. The computing system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine that the second mode of delivery provides access to the file for the client device in a second time period less than a total time period for which the first mode of delivery provides access to the file. 
     
     
       14. A computing system comprising:
 one or more processors configured to provide a file to a client device via a plurality of modes of delivery, wherein a first mode of delivery of the plurality of modes of delivery is to download of the file to the client device and a second mode of delivery of the plurality of modes of delivery is to provide a virtual version of the file via streaming to the client device; 
 wherein the one or more processors are configured to:
 receive a request for the file from the client device; 
 initiate, responsive to receipt of the request, the first mode of delivery of the file to the client device for a time period to determine a size of the file, an amount of available bandwidth, and a total time to provide for a full delivery of the file to the client device using the first mode of delivery; 
 determine, based at least on the size of the file, the total time to provide the full delivery of the file, and the amount of available bandwidth determined via the first mode of delivery of the file initiated for the time period, to use the first mode of delivery instead of the second mode of delivery; and 
 continue, responsive to the determination, to provide the file to the client device via the first mode of delivery. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The computing system of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to provide a portion of the file using the first mode of delivery during the time period. 
     
     
       16. The computing system of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine that the second mode of delivery provides access to the file for the client device in a second time period greater than a total time period for which the first mode of delivery provides access to the file.